RORY MCILROY ADMITS he took more time thinking about his speech at the Masters champions\u2019 dinner than he did planning the menu.<\/p>\n
As is tradition at Augusta, the defending champion hosted an event in the clubhouse for all previous winners of the green jacket at which he got to select what everyone eats.<\/p>\n
McIlroy, 32 former champions, and Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley tucked into appetisers of peach and ricotta flatbread, rock shrimp tempura, bacon-wrapped dates and grilled elk sliders for starters, followed by yellowfin tuna carpaccio for a first course.<\/p>\n
The 2026 Champions Dinner portrait. #themasters<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/wn6XTykQU5<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n The mains were a choice of wagyu filet mignon or seared salmon with traditional Irish champ, sauteed brussels sprouts, glazed carrots with brown butter and crispy onion rings, with sticky toffee pudding and vanilla ice cream to finish.<\/p>\n Wines for the evening were a 2015 Salon Brut champagne, a 2022 Domaine Leflaive Batard Montrachet and a 1990 Chateau Lafite Rothschild from Pauillac in Bordeaux.<\/p>\n It is reportedly the most expensive champions dinner hosted, at an estimated cost of \u20ac290 a head.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve thought about it a lot. Honestly, I\u2019ve probably thought about that (the speech) more than the food,\u201d said McIlroy ahead of his dinner.<\/p>\n Chosen by the champion. #themasters<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/EkjAClxtMP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n \u201cSo many legends of the game there. Obviously there\u2019s two (Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson) that won\u2019t be with us this year, which is a shame, but I\u2019m sure they will be with us in the future.<\/p>\n \u201cBut talking in front of that group, I want to say the right things and make sure I get my feelings across of how grateful I am to be a part of that group.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll follow Ben Crenshaw\u2019s lead. I know he\u2019ll direct the run of show a little bit, but I have a few remarks that I want to make.\u201d<\/p>\n Served in honor of Mr. Rory McIlroy. #themasters<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/hUp3uaQeNl<\/a><\/p>\n